Tow bar



March 6, 1945. WARNER 2,370,926

TOW B AR Filed March 16, 1942 INVENTUR THOMAS [0 WARD VWRNER ATTDRN Y5 Patented Mar. 6, 1945 Tow IX T Thomas Edward Warner, RevelstokauBritish r Columbia, Canada c Application Marchlfi, 1942, Serial N6; 434,910? In Canada January 12,1194'2 8 Claims. (crest-33.14.)

i This invention relates to an improved towing device. s y An object ofthe present inventionis the provision of a device fo-r c onnecting one vehicle to another for towing purposes.

Another object is the provision of a towing de- -vice for rigidly connecting two vehicles together. "Another object is theprovision of a towing'device which, after being connected to the two vehicles, automatically assumes its proper position rigidly to connect the vehicles together.

A further object-is the provision of a towing device which may easily be operated by oneman. A still further object is the provision of a device 'of the nature described of very simple and durable construction.

With these and other objects in view, t e present invention consists essentially of a towing device ior connecting two vehicles togethencom- 'prising a pair of tubes, one tube slidably fitting inside and projecting outwardly from the other, a relatively large bufier on the outer end of each "tube, means for securing the outer ends of the tubes to the adjacent ends of the vehicles with their buffers bearing against said vehicles, and means for retaining the tubes in anyadjusted 'position inrelation to each other, as more fullydescribed in the following specificationand illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which ,Figure 1 is a side elevation of the'towing device,

Figure 2 is a side elevation,- partly in section,

taken at right angle s to; Figure 1, and

Figure'3j is a cross section takenon the, line Reierring'more particularly to the draw ingfl fl is a tube-which slidably f ts into and projects outwardlyiroma tube"! 1. Each tube has a relativen large buffer 12 at its outer end. This buffer -may consist of aflan'ge [3 at the end of each tube covered with 'a facing 14 of rubber, leather, ielt or the like.

Suitable means is provided for connecting the tubes it and H to the towing and towed vehicles. This preferably consists of a chainjl5 extending throughthetubes'and, beyond the outer ends thereof. This chain is considerably longer than the combined lengthsof the tubes when they are drawn outwardly in relation to each other as far .as possible while still retaining their "telescopic lconnectioni Each end of the chain is adapted to be passed around an appropriate part of one of the vehicles, such asan axle or bumper. Suitable means is providedzat' thefouterend of each tube for securing 'thea'djacentend" of the chain after' 'it has been passed around the part of the vehicle. In the illustrated example, a hook i6 is mounted at the outer end of each tube so that a link of the chain or a loop I'I, provided for the purpose, may be connected or secured thereto.

Suitable means is provided for retaining the tubes l0 and in any adjusted positi'onin relation toeach 'other. This preferably consists of meansfor removably gripping one of the tubes,

such as the inner tubell'as shown. To this end,

an arm I 8 projects outwardly from the outer tube,

'|'l-- adjacent the inner end thereof, and a ring 20 ispivotally mounted on said'arm. This may be accomplished by an extension 2! projecting outwardly from the ring which is pivotally connected to the ar'm1l8jat 22.' The'ring 2B surrounds the tube l0 andfresilientmeans is provided for normallyIholding thering out of line with the axis of said tube. A handle 23 preferablyextends outwardlyirofn the ring opposite the extension- 2| and a spring 24 is connected at one end to said handle,"and at its opposite end to a lug 25'mount 'ed'on the. tube 1 I. If desired, a relatively long cableZB may be connected tothe handle 23.

It is possible that the gripping means may be r'eveise'din relation to the tubes i0 and II, that is",

the ringmay be mounted on'theinner tube, in and surroundingthe outer tube H. In this 'case, the airml8" and 'the' lu'g- 25would have to be positioned near the outer end of the inner tube and said-arm 'would have to be lengthened to reach close to the outer tube when the tubes. are extended.

" 'When the ring 20 is retained at an angle to theaxis of the tube passing therethrough, it grips the tube so that it binds and prevents thetubes from beingmoved inwardly but it will permit the tubes to be moved outwardly. This latter is the case since any binding tends'to move the ringtoward's a position at right angles to the shaft axis against the'tension of the spring 24;thus releasin the tube.

When-it is desired totow a vehicle, the 'opera tormove'sthe-rear end of the towing vehicle'close to the front of the other vehicle; Then hemoves the tubes [0' and ll in wardlyas far as'possible.

In 'order to do this, he movesthe ring 20 intoi-its re leasin'g position by means of the handle 23. Then theends of the chain l5 are passed around appropriate parts, say, for example, the bumpers of the *vehicles and secured to thehooks l6.

Whenthe towing vehicle moves away, theslack is first taken upon the chain and then the tubes are pulled outwardly'by the chain as far asthe latter will-allowi""This movementpf the tubes is not interfered with by the ring 20. This draws the bufiers l2 against the bumpers, thus completing a rigid connection between the vehicles. The towed vehicle cannot move up on the towing vehicle since the ring 20 prevents the tubes from moving inwardly and the relatively large buifers bearing against the bumpers prevents any side sway or tendency the following vehicle may haveto move out of line. The device is held tightly in place because the chain is hooked to the ends of the tubes and it has been drawn out as far as possible as the second vehicle is actually drawn along by the chain and, of course, the ring .20 will not permit the tubes to collapse. In this way, the device automatically assumes its properposition rigidly to connect the vehicles'together.

tion of each vehicle at the ends of the tubes, means at the-end of each tube for securing the adjacent end of the chain,a ring pivotally supported on one tube and surrounding the other, resilient means normally holding the ring out of line with the axis of the tube therein to grip said tube to prevent the tubes from being moved inwardly in relation to each other, and a handle extending outwardly from the ring by means of which the latter may be moved into line with the axis to release the tube.

4. A towingdevice for connecting two vehicles together, comprising a pair of tubes, one tube In order to release the vehicles, the ring is moved to its releasing position by meansof the,

handle 23 and the towing vehicle is reversed until sufiicient slack is provided to enable the endsof the chain to-be removed from the hooks IS.

The ring may be released by another person or, if the cable 26 is employed, itreaches to the driver of the towing vehicle who may pull it to .move the ring to release position while he backs" up. From the above, it will readily be seen that a device rigidly connectin two vehicles together has been provided which automatically assumes its proper position and which may easily be op-;

erated by one man. Various modifications may be made in this in- .vention without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the claims, and therefore the exact forms shown are to be taken as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense and it is desired that only such limitations shal1 be placed there-'- on as are set forth in the accompanying claims. WhatIclaim as my invention is: 1 v I l. A towing device for connecting two vehicles together, comprising a pair of tubes, one tube together, comprising a pair of tubes, one tube .l

slidably fitting inside andprojecting outwardly from the other, outer end of each ported on one of the tube therein to grip said tube to prevent the tubesfrom being moved inwardly in relation to each other, movable into line with the axis tube.

3'. A towing device for connectin two vehicles together, comprising apair of tubes, one tube projecting outwardly from the other, a relativelylarge bufier on the l outer end of, each tube, a chain extending through slidably fitting inside and the. tubes adapted, to be passed around a porto permit the tubes to be a relatively large bufier on the tube, a chain extending through; the tubes adapted to be passed around a por tion-of each vehicle at the ends of the tubes,

means at the end of each tube forsecuring the adjacent end of the chain, a ring pivotally suptube and surrounding .the other, and -means normally holding the ring out of line with the axis said ring being to release the slidably fitting inside and projecting outwardly 'from the other; a relatively large buffer on the outer end of each tube, a chain extending through, the tubes adapted to be passed around a por- .,tion of each vehicle at the ends'of the tubes,

means'at the end of each tube for-securing the adjacent end of the chain,- an arm extending outwardly from one tube, a ring pivotally mounted on the arm and surrounding the other tube,

.a spring connected to the tube carrying the ring tion of each vehicle and to the latter, said spring normally holding "the ring out of line with the axis of the tube ,therein to grip said tube to prevent the tubes from being moved inwardly in relation to each other, and a handle extending outwardly from the ring away from its pivotby means of which the ring may be moved into line withthe axis to release the tube. v p I 5. A towing device for connecting two vehicles together, comprising a pair of tubes, one tube slidably fitting inside and. projecting outwardly from thelother, a relatively large bufier on the outer end of each tube, a chain extending through the tubes adapted to be passed around a porat the ends of the tubes, a I each tube for securing the adjacent end of the chain, a ring pivotally supported on one tube and surrounding the other, and means normally holding the ring out of line with thefaxis ofthe tube therein to grip said hook at the end of tube to prevent the tubes from being moved inwardly in-relation to each other, said ring being movable into, line with the axis to release the tube. v I r V 6, .A towing device for connecting two vehicles together, comprising a pair of tubes, one'tube slidably fitting inside and projecting outwardly from the other, a relatively large bufier on the outerend of each tube, av chain extending through the tubes adaptedto'be passed around a por- .tion of each vehicle at the ends of the tubes, a hook at the end of each tube for securing the adjacent end of the chain, a ring pivotally supported' on the outer tube and surrounding the inner tube, andmeans normally holding the ring out of line with the axis of the inner tube to grip said tube to prevent the tubes from being moved inwardly in relationv to each other, said ring be-' ing movable into line the tube. I r .7. A towing device for connecting two vehicles together, comprisingca pair. of tubes, one tube with the axis to release slidably fitting inside and projecting outwardly from the other, a relatively large bufier on the outer end of each tube, a chain extending through the tubes adapted to be passed around a portion of each vehicle. at the ends of the tubes, a

hook at the end of each tube for, securing the adjacent end of the chain, an arm extending outwardly fromthe outer tube,.a ring pivotally,

mounted on the arm and surrounding the inner tube, a spring connected-to the outer tube and to the ring, said, spring normally holding the ring out of line with the axis of the inner tube to grip said tube to prevent the tubes from being moved inwardly in relation to each other, and a handle extending outwardly from the ring away from its pivot by means of which the ring may be moved into line with the axis to release the 7 tube.

8.- A towing device for connecting two vehicles together, comprising two tubular members, one fitting within and projecting outwardly from the other, a flexible retaining member extending through the tubes having a greater length than the combined length of the tubes, the said flexible member being formed at each end with means for engaging a fastening device, fastening devices for the flexible member mounted at the outer end of-each tube, the end of the flexible member being adapted to be passed around appropriate parts on the two-vehicles and to be then connected to the fastening devices, releasable retaining means supported on the outer tu-' 1 bular member having means to engage the inner tubular member adapted to permit it to move outwardly but to prevent it moving inwardly except when the device is in released position, and

means operable at a distance from the retaining means for releasing the same.

THOMAS IEIDVVARDv WARNER. 

